Delhi Transport Corporation
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Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is the main public transport operator of Delhi. It operates buses on many bus routes, including the mudrika (the Ring Road Service) and Bahri Mudrika (the Outer Ring Road Service). It is one of the largest compressed natural gas-powered bus service.
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[edit] History
It was incorporated in May 1948 by the Indian government for local bus services when they found out the incumbent service provider Gawalior and Northern India Transport Company Ltd. was inadequate in serving the purpose. It was then named "Delhi Transport Service". It was again constituted as "Delhi Road Transport Authority" under the Road Transport Corporation Act, 1950. This Authority became undertaking of Municipal Corporation of Delhi by an Act of Parliament in April, 1958. In 1971, on a recommendation from the Indian government took over the assets and liabilities from the erstwhile Delhi Transport Undertaking (DTU) operated by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi until the 2nd November 1971. Delhi Transport Corporation which was under administrative control of the Indian government was transferred to the Government of National Capital Territory, Delhi.
[edit] Routes
Delhi Transport Corporation operates many routes not-only in Delhi, but also many inter-states routes. The mofussil buses operate around 34 depots. and the inter-state buses operate from the Three Inter State Bus Terminals in Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan and Anand Vihar.
[edit] Intra-Delhi Bus Services
Delhi Transport Corporation services in Delhi has vastly distributed network of bus services. It connects almost every part of Delhi with this network of buses. The most Prominent of these being the Mudrika and the Bahri Mudrika services interconnecting all parts of the city with a great frequency of buses until approximately 10:30 p.m.
[edit] Metro Feeder Buses
Transportation in Delhi is under-going a vast change with the entry of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. DTC has been helping Delhi Metro to connect Delhi City better by operating new bus routes connecting commuters in areas surrounding the metro stations for a better city experience.
[edit] Inter-State Bus Services
DTC is one of the premier bus services of North India. It connects almost all the major centres of North India with its services. It connects Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
[edit] Delhi-Lahore Bus Services
DTC has also been a great part-taker in the recent friendship ties between India and Pakistan. It has been operating the regular buses between Delhi and Lahore. Delhi-Lahore Bus Service was inaugurated on 11th July 2003.
[edit] Services
One of DTC's many popular services is the issual of bus passes of monthly duration. It also issues bus passes for half-yearly, quarterly and monthly basis. Apart from these bus pases it also issues Green Card for a daily commuter which is a ticket valid for the whole day.DTC is very popular with its economical student bus passes.
[edit] Problems
Keeping in mind the vast area Delhi covers along with its NCR (National Capital Region) teritorries it is difficult to cater to everyone's needs. So efforts are being made to increase the frequency of bus service in the longer routes. The buses during the day are usually very overcrowded, requiring agility, grit and determination on part of the traveller to catch & hold on to a side-railing while the bus is in motion. Accidents are known to happen in DTC buses due to such actions.
In times of student agitations, DTC buses bear the brunt of attack as a sign of anti-government wrath of the students. From breakage of glass window panes to setting the buses on fire, DTC buses become torchlights for these student activist movements.
Problems of eve-teasing can be present, requiring courage on part of the girl and usually unwilling cooperation from fellow passengers to deal with the anti-social elements.
Cleanliness of the DTC buses is not up to international standards, it being grimy, hot and dusty in summer months in Delhi. It is also exacerbated due to the nonchalant attitude by the travellers themselves, throwing peanut skins, paper waste and spitting chewed pan/tobacco anywhere they like.
